The People who can Solve Your Business Information Needs

This application was developed for Permafix (www.permafix.ie) - the leading Passive Fire Protection company.

Prior to the development of the application, one of the directors had to spend almost 2 days per week pricing the work completed by the operatives. This was because the nature of the work was very specialised and the pricing matrix was complex. Following on from the pricing, all of the work sheets were transcribed onto spreadsheets and the prices extend and summarised.

We spent a few hours with this director and obtained an in-depth understanding of how the products and prices were determined. From that we designed an input form in an Access Database that captured the knowledge of this director and made the program automatically identify the products from the dimensions input and calculate and extend the prices accordingly. As a result of this, the director could be redeployed to other work and the calculations and recording of work sheets could be completed by office staff with minimal knowledge of the actual work being completed.

This was only the start of the benefits. Flexible reporting allowed the company to be able to process their invoices much more quickly and thereby increase cash flow. This reporting also allowed the company to supply comprehensive information to their customers and their quantity surveyors to justify the amounts billed. It gave rise to a significant competitive advantage when it came to contracting for new jobs becuase the ability to provide such information was not commonplace.

Keeping the information in a database allowed the company to use it in different ways. Operatives productivity could be monitored and eventually this led to staff being paid on a piece rate basis.